The Book Thief Part One Study Guide

Prologue

The narrator is Death or “The Grim Reaper” 1. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE IDENTITY OF THE NARRATOR? What details from the text gave hints about the identity? How will this particular narrator affect the telling of the story? The narrator is Death or “The Grim Reaper” “Here is a small fact: You are going to die.” (pg. 3) “It suffices to say that at some point in time, I will be standing over your, as genially as possible. Your soul will be in my arms…I will carry you gently away.” (pg. 4) “It’s the left over humans. The survivors. They’re the ones I can’t stand to look at.” (pg. 5) His telling of the story will give a bystander perspective of different events that he has witnessed.

2. What is the relationship of each color to the memory described? White – pure, clean, innocent. Red – blood, death. Black – end of life; night.

They create the Nazi flag. 3. What is the significance of the quote from page 14: “They fall on top of each other. The scribbled signature black, onto the blinding global white, onto the thick soupy red”? They create the Nazi flag.

Part one

1. Discuss the sensory description of souls on page 21 1. Discuss the sensory description of souls on page 21. What is the effect? “It was exactly when I knelt down and extracted his soul, holding it limply in my swollen arms. He warmed up soon after, but when I picked him up originally, the boy’s spirit was soft and cold, like ice cream. He started melting in my arms. Then warming up completely. Healing.” You may notice that Death describes dying as losing warmth and the healing as regaining warmth. It makes you consider what happens to us after we die, and possibly be comforting.

2. ”What if the other is a lot more than one 2.”What if the other is a lot more than one.” What do you think this quote means? There are more followers than leaders, and what would happen if the followers over powered the leaders? “I saw a little boy, perhaps ten years old, driving a huge carthorse along a narrow path, whipping it whenever it tried to turn. It struck me that if only such animals became aware of their strength we should have no power over them, and that men exploit animals in much the same way as the rich exploit the proletariat.” – George Orwell

3. What is ironic about himmel Street? Himmel means “Heaven” in German. The street is dirty and has a lot of the poor living on it. “Whoever named Himmel Street certainly had a healthy sense of irony. Not that it was a living hell. It wasn’t. But it sure as hell wasn’t heaven, either.” (pg. 28)

Hans Kind Quiet Strong Large Rosa Loud Obscene Short & Fat Worn 4. List some adjectives to describe the personalities of Hans and Rosa Huberman Hans Kind Quiet Strong Large Rosa Loud Obscene Short & Fat Worn Opinionated

Liesel’s parents were Communists. 5. You have more knowledge about history and life than 9 year old Liesel. With that, what do you think is a likely story about her birth parents? Liesel’s parents were Communists. Communists, Socialists, and other proclaimed enemies of the Germans were sent to Dachau.

6. Discuss the “silver-Lining” of Liesel’s nightmares. She gets closer with Hans. “After three weeks, he held her. Trust was accumulated quickly, due primarily to the brute strength of the man’s gentleness, his thereness. The girl knew from the outset that Hans Hubermann would always appear midscream, and he would not leave.” (pg. 39) This helps Liesel feel more comfortable in her new home. *NOTE: Hans’s eyes are described as silvery.

7. Describe the relationship between Rosa and Frau Holtzapfel. Frau Holtzapfel and Rosa have a decade-long war going on for undisclosed reasons. Frau Holtzapfel spits on the Hubermann’s door every night.

The members of the town do not interact with the Jewish in the ghetto. 8. Think about Zusak’s descriptions of the various places in the novel, so far: Himmel Street, Frau Diller’s Shop, and the road of yellow stars. What are some potential Occurrences, what attitudes are expressed simply through a description and setting? We see that we are in a German town and that they are primarily Pro-Nazi supporters. The members of the town do not interact with the Jewish in the ghetto.

9. What are your first impressions of Rudy? He’s arrogant. He is fearless. He is impulsive. He’s a dreamer.

Competitive streaks within both of them bonded them immediately. 10. What are some details that show the initial bonding between Liesel and Rudy? Competitive streaks within both of them bonded them immediately. Rudy was forced to walk Liesel to school, and he began “showing her the ropes” by explaining certain members and areas of the town.

11. What is your reaction to the quote: 11. What is your reaction to the quote: “…the appropriate cruelty that childhood seems to require.” (pg. 53) It describes how children will tend to follow the social behaviors of their peers to fit in. In this case, the children will act cruel toward a child if all the other children are doing so.

12. Explain Mr. Steiner’s reaction to Rudy’s Jesse Owens reenactment. Mr. Steiner did not want Rudy drawing attention to himself for trying to behave like enemies of the Nazi Party, and in turn, Germany. Mr. Steiner tries to tell Rudy that he needs to be appreciative that he is a blonde-haired, blue-eyed German boy, because that makes him safe.

He wants to make sure that his children are safe. 13. Why might a parent like Mr. Steiner want to teach his child opinions he doesn’t truly believe? He wants to make sure that his children are safe.

Liesel’s – “dangerous…dark brown” eyes 14. Compare the descriptions of Rudy’s eyes with the previous description of Liesel’s. Rudy – Gangly Blue Eyes Liesel’s – “dangerous…dark brown” eyes ** It is interesting to note that Liesel’s brother also had piercing blue eyes.***

Literal Poison labels Signs Instructions Directions Abstract Education 15. What are some ways that words and reading might save a life? Try for some literal and some abstract meaning. Literal Poison labels Signs Instructions Directions Abstract Education An escape from reality Learn from the past

This also shows Liesel’s defensive side. 16. Discuss the significance of Liesel’s reading in front of the class. She was gutsy enough to try, but could still not read, however, she has a very strong memory, for she was reciting passages from The Grave Digger’s Handbook. The teacher was trying to be kind by not making Liesel read so that she wouldn’t make a fool out of herself in front of the other children, but Liesel got up anyway. This also shows Liesel’s defensive side.